Lauren Alaina’s New Song ‘Pretty’ Inspired by Her Eating Disorder

Lauren Alaina has several compelling tracks on her new album, Road Less Traveled, but there's one in particular that's near and dear to the singer's heart because it deals with her struggles with an eating disorder.

Alaina has seeped empowerment and positive meanings into this new record, which comes in full force on a song called "Pretty," which the singer calls out as one of her favorites on the new project. The song relates to her battle with bulimia, an issue she's been vocal about in an effort to combat beauty norms and inspire young girls to love themselves as they are.

"Pretty is not the amount of makeup on your face or the shirt you're wearing or the size of your pants -- that is false. People are pretty because they're nice and they care about other people and they have a good heart," Alaina tells Taste of Country. "That's what makes you pretty, and I didn't know that at one point in my life."

She acknowledges that her fan base includes young teens, many of whom are faced with online bullies. And while some may think that her star status means she's immune, or even blind, to negative comments, Alaina says that's not the case. Handling all of her social media accounts herself, Alaina sees all of the remarks people make about her -- good and bad -- going back to her days on American Idol.

"For whatever reason, people just like to come out and say whatever they want to say about you when you're on TV," she shares. "I just think people aren't aware that they're affecting someone to that degree and I wanted to draw attention to it, because it hurts."

While she's learned to ignore the negative comments, Alaina says they do make an impact from time to time. But her past struggles and positive mindset have made her a stronger person. "I'm happier and I'm in a better place, so they don't affect me as much as they used to, and that's a hard place to get to. It took me a while to get there," the "Road Less Traveled" singer says. "'Pretty' is that whole journey."

Alaina's new album, Road Less Traveled, hits stores Friday (Jan. 27). The project includes the Top 15 single and title track, co-written with Meghan Trainor and Jesse Frasure, who's written and produced for some of country's top acts including Florida Georgia Line, Chris Lane, Jon Pardi and more.